Omnixius
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DKP 7-2 I will protect your heart
🕑 Added 2021-07-09 20:51:25 +0000 UTCThayle arrived at a large tent set just inside the walls of Balisha's compound. For the time being, this was where Lilly interviewed those interested in serving Balisha. The plan was to leave a contingent behind in the city. A few select priests would stay to train this new flock and ensure Balisha's faith never wains again.
Culver and three others would run the temple in Lilly and Gersius's absence. Thayle smirked at the idea of the boy come man stepping into the role of teacher. However, Lilly was sure he was ready, and for his sake, he had better be considering how much extra attention Lilly paid him. Gersius raised a brow at the choice but decided to trust in Lilly and allow it.
She put those thoughts aside and entered the tent, finding a small ceremonial space inside and a table with four chairs to the right. Lilly was just inside, straightening the chairs and humming to herself.
“Did you have a good day?” Thayle called to announce her presence.
Lilly turned with a smile and nodded. “How did you sneak up on me?”
“You were preoccupied with a thought and didn’t notice my approach,” Thayle replied and walked up to take Lilly’s hands. “You are worried you could still fail to restore Balisha.”
Lilly nodded and pulled her hands away to rub them over one another.
“It’s just we are so fragile right now. One temple and a handful of priests. How hard would it be to bring this to an end once again?”
“You will grow, and quickly after that display you put on the other day,” Thayle urged.
Lilly smiled to think of how Balisha's song had echoed with the goddess's power and become yet another proof they were chosen by the divines. The people were awestruck, and many had come to the tent to inquire about joining the new order. She conveyed just how many it had been and how she used a speech very much like Gersius did to lay out the hard road ahead and run off the weak-willed. She then spent hours talking to the remainder in groups of ten to twenty, telling them about Balisha and the purpose of the new order. This time all who wished to join would be accepted until five hundred were reached. These would be trained by her priests and gradually accepted into the order provided they proved faithful.
“Sounds like you won't have much to worry about in a year,” Thayle said. “With the first harvest, you can establish temples in other cities, and your growth will only spread.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” Lilly smiled. “I hope Balisha is pleased with me.”
“Lilly, if she isn't, she isn't worthy of you, now common. Are you ready for the day's challenges?” she asked.
Lilly nodded and explained that she was rather eager to get on with it. The day had been productive, and even Culver had come to check on her, but she needed to be back in the city where her loved ones were.
“So the banquet is tonight,” Thayle said as they walked. “If you thought those women were bad, wait until you see how they behave when their husbands are nearby. They won't be as bold as they were alone, but they will communicate the same disdain with body language.”
“Sarah said I should have killed one,” Lilly said as she thought about the previous day.
Thayle shook her head; Sarah was still too quick to anger and proud of her strength. Gersius was trying to temper her fire, but she was progressing slowly.
“Lilly, please show restraint,” Thayle said. “Sarah means well, but you can't kill these people because they make you mad. Though, there is a line that can be crossed.”
“Gersius told me,” Lilly replied. “But I still don’t understand why.”
“Because actions have consequences,” Thayle said. “Somebody you kill might turn a whole house against us and cause problems we don’t need. If a particular person causes enough trouble, we will go to Gersius and Sarah about it and let them decide how to handle it.”
“And then Sarah can kill them,” Lilly said with a smile.
Thayle sighed and led Lilly through the city, taking her to the palace gardens where Gersius and Sarah were having a tense discussion with Lengwin.
“We have searched everywhere,” Lengwin said. “I put every priest we had to spare to search the cathedral three times. I have had men raid every private property or close confidant of the old Father Abbot, and we have nothing to show for it.”
“Then he moved it even before we began our attack,” Sarah said. “He had nothing in his hands when he was rescued from the office.”
Lengwin looked worried as he began to pace before turning with a face worn from worry.
“Gersius, this is a disaster for the order. They cannot be allowed to possess the seal of Astikar. We must know what they did with it.”
“Have your searches revealed anything of importance not related to the seal?” Gersius asked.
“Plenty,” Lengwin replied as he looked up with anger in his eyes. “Letters, notes, correspondences all indicating that heads or high ranking members of nearly every order was working with the Father Abbot. Noble houses in every province were willingly dancing to his tune. They withheld support you needed because the Father Abbot told them to.”
Sarah growled, but Gersius remained impassive, going to the garden wall to look over the city. He was quite a long moment as Lilly and Thayle came to the wall beside him.
“We are going to have to subdue half the provinces, aren’t we?” Thayle asked.
Gersius nodded without saying a word, but over the bind, his emotions were saying plenty. He was angry that so many of the nobles were blindly ignoring the fact that the divines themselves marked him as their chosen. He was angry that they were willing to let the Doan butcher their people. But, most of all, he was confident that the days ahead would be filled with blood as he purged houses and made mortal enemies. His thoughts went back to when the divines all marked him as their chosen; why wasn't that enough?
“That’s to say nothing of the fact that you conquered a city that can’t be conquered,” Sarah added as she read his thoughts.
Gersius closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. The forces of Astikar were attempting to rebuild their faith and establish a rebirth as a noble order. They needed that seal.
“I want the entire palace searched, room by room, no less than five times. I want all the staff that were present the last year questioned about secret doors or hidden chambers. I want their light tested to ensure they aren’t lying.
“All the staff we kept were tested for loyalty,” Thayle reminded him.
“I want even the staff we threw out questioned. What did they hear? What did they see? The seal is too important to allow our enemies to have. If it isn't here in the city, then it becomes our number one priority to recover.”
“Where would we even look?” Lilly asked innocently.
Gersius tightened his hands on the railing. “Somebody knows where it went. If the staff proves to be of no value, we will start digging up the so-called leaders of the other faiths. Anyone we can implicate as an ally to the fallen father will answer for what they did after they answer our questions.”
“The bloodshed hasn't stopped, has it?” Thayle asked with a pained expression.
“I’m sorry,” Gersius replied. “I wish it was all over.”
“It has only begun,” Sarah interjected. “We all knew this was only step one in the war. Now we have to unite the empire and take the fighting to the Doan.”
“Thank goodness Gams has already strengthened the line,” Lengwin said.
“Hmm,” Gersius said and turned about. “I worry about that too.”
Lengwin looked at him confused, but Gersius quickly moved on to explain his logic.
“They have been sitting outside our lines for weeks, building up strength. They could have used bandersooks and dragons to break the lines at any time and pour into the empire. I half expected them to beat us to Calathen.”
“So why aren’t they attacking?” Lilly asked.
“That is a mystery we need to learn,” Gersius replied.
Lengwin cleared his throat and brought all eyes to him.
“I know we believe the fallen father was working with them, but I have found no evidence in letters that he was doing so.”
“He is working with them,” Gersius said in a firm tone. “I need no further proof than the bandersooks that are still raiding farms in the east. Only the Doan tame those monsters for war and could have provided them as shock troops.”
“We have to be careful about what we say and can prove,” Lengwin urged. “I agree with you, but many will argue against it as madness and use it as proof you are not fit to rule.”
“Let them,” Gersuis said dryly. “I will send Sarah to sort them out.”
“Gladly,” Sarah added with a wicked smile.
“It would be better to show kindness and earn the people's trust,” Thayle said. “If we have to conquer them, the provinces will be slow to provide martial for the war.”
Gersius looked to her as she felt the turmoil in his heart over the bind.
“That is up to the provinces, not me. We are in charge now. If they refuse to accept that, what choice do I have?”
Thayle walked up to put a hand on his arm as he flared with pain over the bind.
“I will send the women of Ulustrah to bless farms and families in your name. I will show the provinces that you are just and kind.”
“We are just and kind,” he corrected. “You are an empress at my side. I will not allow the empire to see me as the only one who matters.”
“You are a rare man,” Thayle said with a smile. “Most kings put their queens behind them.”
He realized she was right, but he didn't feel that way at all. These were his wives, and without them, he would never have come this far. He owed the empire to their support and strength, without which he would have failed long ago.
“You are my equal in every way,” he said softly. “You stand beside me, as do Lilly and Sarah. Together we will bring this empire in line. So send your women, but make sure they do their blessing in our names, not mine alone.”
Thayle nodded as he turned back to Lengwin, who was silently watching the tender moment.
“I need to see all documents that prove the leaders and nobility are allies of the old father. I will have them all questioned about the seal and then deal with them.”
“As you wish,” Lengwin said with a bow of his head. “I will have it all sent to you shortly.”
Gersius nodded and remained silent as Lengwin headed away. Sarah joined him at his side and took one arm, clinging to him with uncharacteristic affection.
“We must find that seal,” she said in a dire tone.
“We will find it. Such a thing could not be moved in secrecy. Somebody will know where it went,” he replied.
“Thankfully, none of the artifacts of the other faiths are missing,” Sarah said and looked to the girls.
“Ulustrah’s silver ring wasn't in Calathen,” Thayle said. “As far as I know, it is safely inside the rose temple.”
“Which was attacked twice,” Lilly added. “I wonder if that was one of the things they were after.”
Thayle looked forlorn at the idea, but Sarah suggested the temple and the sacred pool that acted as a mirror was more than likely the target. Gersius agreed that holding the temple itself would have forced Ulustrah out of the war.
“Thankfully, it never came to that,” Thayle said with a shiver. “So, is everything ready for the banquet?”
“As it can be,” Sarah remarked. “Messengers were sent with invitations, and town criers publicly announced that all nobility are welcome. I have seating for five hundred, but I expect half that considering how many provinces are openly hostile.”
“We might be surprised,” Gersius suggested, but they all felt him over the bind and knew that was wishful thinking.
Sarah continued on a list of preparations, talking about food, wine, and music. Lilly perked up at this point and asked if there would be dancing. Sarah assured her there would be time to dance later in the evening. Sarah then went on to explain how hard it was to find help to serve at the banquet. Nearly half the palace staff were missing or discharged after questioning. This left a small crew trying to manage an enormous task. Sarah was overseeing the hiring of additional staff, but it was going slowly.
“What about the gate?” Lilly asked as she turned to look across the city. “How will we ever repair that?”
Sarah smiled and released Gersius to move behind Lilly. She wrapped her arms around Lilly’s waist and gently pulled her into a warm hug.
“Dragons will help rebuild it. First, we will fell the great northern trees and, with the help of weaves to make them lighter, transport them here. Then, Numidel and I will help shape the wood and lift it into position to make a new gate.”
Lilly was quiet a moment as she leaned back and relished the embrace. When she spoke, her voice was full of wonder and mystery as she asked if dragons had helped build the first gate.
Sarah swayed with her gently and told her all about how dragons had helped build Calathen in ages past. The gates might have been from that long ago, but she found it hard to believe they could have survived over five thousand years.
“More than likely they were maintained and mended,” Gersius said. “I was once told the metalwork that covered them was an attempt to keep them from rotting. It is one of the reasons why I knew the weave would break the gates.”
“Well, those days will return now,” Sarah replied as she rested her chin on the top of Lilly’s head. “Let the men imagine great things, and we dragons will help them build it.”
“Imagine what we could do if the curse could be broken for all dragons,” Lilly said.
Sarah smiled, but over the bind, they all felt the remorse she felt to know that such was a fantasy.
“Come, child,” she whispered to Lilly. “I want to dress you and your sister for the banquet.”
Thayle joined them and made their way inside so Sarah could get them ready. Gersius returned to the wall of the terrace and looked out over the city. So much was accomplished at a terrible cost, but there was much more that needed doing. With his mind full of the dark times ahead, he decided to focus on the good around him. He was the emperor, and at his side were three powerful wives. His heart was full of love, and a child was safely hidden away in the valley. He wanted badly to be in the valley building a home and waiting for the egg to hatch. With a sigh born from pain, he ran a hand through his hair and turned away. Other tasks needed doing before the banquet, one of which was a surprise for his wives. He walked off to collect the surprise, anxious to see how they reacted.
Sarah took her wives to their private chambers guarded by soldiers of various faiths. Once inside the palatial rooms of marble and ornate stonework, she went directly to the wardrobe and began sorting through clothes.
“Culver had an idea yesterday. I have been giving some consideration,” Lilly said as they waited for Sarah.
“What idea did he have?” Thayle asked.
“He said I should use the space in the yard to do worship services in my dragon form. He thinks it will help people get used to having dragons in the city.”
“Unlikely,” Sarah called from her search. “They had dragons already and were terrified of them.”
“But those dragons probably behaved like I would have before Gersius showed me the truth,” Lilly pleaded.
Sarah looked back from her chore and pulled out a white gown with a shake of her head.
“What you’re talking about is going to be a long process of healing a deep wound. Remember, humans once despised us so much they erased Balisha’s faith from the land.”
“I know, but it isn’t enough just to restore her faith. We have to restore mankind’s trust in dragons.”
“Our entire army is used to dragons fighting beside them,” Thayle reminded. “You have already made a good start on earning that trust.”
“We will see,” Sarah sighed and held the gown out to Lilly. “I want you in this, with a flowery braid in your hair. All white with a few bluebells to hint at your color.”
Lilly took the gown from her hands with a smile and held it up to examine it. She loved to dress in fancy things, and pretty dresses almost always meant a chance to dance. Quickly she laid it across the bed and began to undress as Sarah returned to the wardrobe and took out a dress of black and lace with a ruffled skirt and collar that would leave her shoulders bare.
“This one is for you, my dark beauty,” Sarah remarked as she handed the gown to Thayle.
“When did you have time to have these made?” Thayle asked as she took the gown in hand.
Sarah smiled and reminded them about the dressmakers they visited before flying off to lay the egg. She gave them instructions for three dresses for each of them before leaving. They worked from measurements to prepare the gowns for their return and had them waiting.
Thayle set her dress aside and began to undress as Sarah helped Lilly into her gown. As the outfit was tied over Lilly's slender form, her beauty began to radiate out. Sarah took handfuls of that long silky hair and began to weave it into a wide braid. Lilly tried her best to stand still, but her excitement for dancing was getting the better of her.
“Stop that swaying while I weave these flowers in,” Sarah scolded. When she finished, she turned Lilly about and smiled. “You need to wear your silver crown Ayawa gave you, and make sure you wear your necklace.”
Lilly put a hand to her neck and looked down to the bare patch of skin above her chest.
“I can't. Gersius took it and said he was going to fix it.”
“Oh, did the chain break?” Thayle asked. “That happens a lot with delicate necklaces.”
“No, but he said it needed to be fixed,” Lilly replied. “I have no idea why.”
Sarah snorted and helped Thayle lace up her black gown and tied her into place.
“I will summon something for you wear then,” Sarah replied as she pulled a strap of Thayle’s dress tight.
“There is no need for that,” Gersius said as he entered the room.
Gersius walked into the room and found them all together. He smiled as he crossed the floor, and Sarah looked at him. She had on her red gown, the one he found so beautiful on her. Thayle was in a form-fitting black dress with matching gloves. Lilly was a radiant white gown that made her blue hair stand out.
“How are my wives today?” he asked as he arrived before Lilly.
Lilly looked up at him with a curious look. “You feel funny. What are you hiding?”
He smiled and nodded his head. “I am not hiding anything,” he replied.
“You are intentionally singing a little song in your head to mask your thoughts from us,” she replied. “You are trying to hide something.”
Gersius laughed; they knew him so well, but this moment was meant to special. He didn't need the bind spoiling it.
“Well, husband, what are you hiding from us. I sense you are in a good mood, so it isn't likely to be bad whatever it is,” Sarah said in her firm, commanding voice.
Gersius turned to Thayle, who now moved up behind him and stood next to Sarah. “You are hiding something!” she said. “And you are very excited about it.”
Gersius sighed. There was no point in trying to pretend. “I have something I would like to give Lilly.”
Lilly looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “What is it you want to give me?”
He stepped up and took her hand. “A long time ago I bought you a gift of a necklace of silver and blue. I wanted you to know I valued you, and I hoped having a little treasure would make you feel more comfortable.”
She smiled at him. “It worked. I did feel more comfortable, and I was not sure how to feel about you giving me silver and gems.”
“As I recall, you stared in every reflective surface you could find just to see it around your neck,” he said, still smiling.
Lilly laughed and showed her beautiful smile at the memory. “I just wanted you to know I appreciated it,” she said in a dignified voice.
“I know you loved it. I didn’t need the bind to see that. I took your necklace because it is time for it to represent more than a simple gift to make you happy.”
“So you have my necklace with you?” Lilly asked.
“Of course,” he said, reaching into the pouch at his side. “But I thought that since our relationship has changed so much. And in light of the fact that we are now husband and wife, as well as emperor and empress of the second dragon empire, it was only fitting I have a small change made.”
Lilly looked at him with curious eyes as he lifted his hand. There, dangling before her face, was a beautiful necklace. The chain was woven in silver and gold. The bluestone at the center was ringed in smaller white stones in the shape of a shield. On each side of the shield was a delicate dragon, one of gold and one of silver. Their tails were entwined below it, and their mouths practically touched above it. Lilly put a hand over her mouth when she saw it and her eyes watered.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
She looked into his eyes for a second and then went back to the necklace.
“It's beautiful!” she gasped.
Gersius stepped around her, opening the clasp. “I had it made with the diamonds to signify my love for you. A shield around your heart,” he said as he wrapped it around her neck.
“So the bluestone is my heart?” Lilly asked weakly.
“It is, and I wanted to show you my love protected it.” Lilly struggled not to cry as the chain locked into place and dangled over her chest. He stepped back and was amazed at just how emotional she was becoming. “I take it you are pleased,” he said with a laugh. Lilly threw her arms around him and hugged him as tightly as she could. He smiled even as he felt the pangs of sadness from the other two. He looked down into Lilly’s wet smiling face when she pulled away. “I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” Lilly replied with a sniff.
Gersius nodded and then turned, looking directly at Sarah and Thayle as they stood by. He could see they were trying to be happy for Lilly but felt left out. He could feel it across the bind as well, especially from Sarah. As dragon herself, a gift of gold and silver to one dragon and not the other was probably perceived as an insult. Fortunately, he had thought of that days ago and was prepared.
“When I gave Lilly that necklace, it was just her and I. But now, I find myself the most blessed man in all the land because the beauty that fills my life has increased threefold. I now share my heart with the three most beautiful women to have ever walked the land. Each of them is special in their own way, and each of them has a heart more valuable than any stone could capture.” He paused to look into their eyes. “But I tried anyway.”
He reached into his pouch, and out came a second necklace. It the same as the first, but with a stone of deep red. “For my wife, who is the fire that burns in my soul. A stone to match her color and her might. A ruby for the queen of the redstar.” He held it before her face, and she tried in vain to keep her face under control.
Gersius felt the flood of excitement and emotion as she saw the beauty of the necklace. He carefully reached around her neck and locked the clasp. “You can breathe now,” he whispered to her, and she laughed as she realized she was holding her breath.
“It's beautiful, thank you,” she said as she ran a fingertip over the stone. She took a shaking breath and looked into his eyes. “How much more do you want me to love you?”
“I will never stop needing more love from you,” he said.
She stiffened and took a firm breath. “I will never stop trying to give you more.”
“I want you to know that despite your being the most recent wife to join our family. I love you just as strongly, and I rely on your strength. You are the might of our family, and you bring your power and your great wisdom to us all.”
She wiped at her eyes as she shook faintly, trying to maintain her composure. “I am honored to be a part of your love.”
He smiled and turned to Thayle, who shook her head at him.
“I assume mine is green,” she said.
He nodded. “Yours is green.” He lifted the chain so she could see it, and her eyes focused on the jeweled center.
“Is mine different?” she asked, looking at it closely. The whole of the necklace was the same, but the pattern of the diamonds was different. The gem was not encased in a shield. It was a leaf instead.
“Your heart does not need me to protect it,” he said as he reached around her neck to attach it.
“It doesn't?” she asked, looking up into his eyes.
He fastened the chain around her neck and stood back.
“You protect my heart instead. You brought Lilly back to me. You worked tirelessly to get her into my arms. Then you stayed by our side to make sure we grew together. Then as if that wasn't enough, you offered your own body to us so we could have children despite all your fears. You were willing to face your greatest dread that you would have to give up being an active priestess of your Goddess so I could have the child I wanted.”
Thayle chewed on her lower lip and tried to control her face as her eyes moistened.
“You are the guardian of my heart and the protector of the love of this family. We all are under your care.”
She nodded her head, unable to speak as tears rolled down her cheek.
He stepped back and looked at the wet eyes of his wives and the gems that hung around each one's neck. He could feel the swirling emotions that flowed out of each one of them, and he smiled.
“I want you all to know I love each of you. I never believed I would have a wife. Now I have three, and they are the most wonderful women who have ever lived. I am honored to call you my wives, and I have been even more greatly honored that each one of you has chosen to share with me your true names. Each one of you has allowed me to bind your spirit to mine and given me your absolute trust. I will never betray that trust.”
“You have already proven that with Lilly,” Thayle said.
Sarah shook and swallowed. “I saw that terrible dream a few weeks ago. That you would go through that to protect her.”
“I would go through all that and more to protect each of you,” he said, looking into their eyes one at a time. “However, I would greatly appreciate it if you did not force me to do so.”
Sarah laughed and wiped an eye. “I would kill anyone who tried to harm you or my wives.”
“So, is this your choice of a wedding ring?” Thayle asked.
Gersius shook his head and motioned them all together so he could embrace them as one.
“This is just a gift to show you how much I love you.”
“As if you could possibly show us more,” Thayle laughed.
He hugged them tightly and laughed. “Two of my wives are dragons. It is only appropriate I shower them in gold and gems.”
“I happen to like it,” Lilly said and put her arms around Sarah and Thayle. Dragons should learn how to have families instead of the female always running off to raise the young.”
Sarah laughed and argued the males would prefer it that way, but Lilly was firm in her belief that they would find families just as rewarding as she did. However, Sarah did agree that a lot of males like Numidel did find human women enticing. Maybe they were key to showing males how to enjoy and love a family.
“What happens to dragons if they take human mates?” Lilly wondered. “Will Balsiha bless them all with children?”
“I am more worried about your child,” Sarah replied. “If he or she is half-dragon, will she feel the curse?”
The room was quiet until Lilly spoke up with a shake of her head. “No, Balisha wanted this. She must have a plan to keep our child safe from the curse. I vow to do whatever it takes to protect our child from Solesta’s cruel words, and I will never stop looking for a way to free all the dragons.”
Gersius released his hug and took a step back to look into Lilly’s eyes.
“This is why you were chosen to be her priestess. You feel the same as she does.”
“We have to free them,” she replied with trembling lips. “The dragons deserve to know what love is and experience it for themselves.”
He nodded his agreement and held out a hand. “I promise we will find a way.”
She smiled and took his hand as he pulled her gently along.
“But for now, we have to attend our banquet and fight our battles with words. No killing the guests.”
“But Sarah said –“ Lilly started as Gersius turned his eyes on first her, then Sarah.
“No killing,” he said firmly.
Sarah folded her arms as Thayle started to smirk and had to cover her laugh.
“It would teach the rest a good lesson,” Sarah said in her defense.
“This is a battle of politics, we only resort to killing when words fail, and no path to resolution can be found,” he pressed.
“And this is why the divines chose you to be their champion,” Thayle said with a smile.
“But I am no divines champion,” he began as her words washed over him. For a moment, he looked down and remembered how the divines had come to his defense. All the major and many of the minor ones declared they were behind him. Surely that meant something?”
“Now he realizes it,” Sarah said in a pleased tone. “You were never going to be a champion of one divine. You represent them all.”
“And they all want Balisha restored,” Lilly added.
Gersius looked up and gave a slight nod. “I will meditate on this later. For now, we must survive the war of words and the plots of our nobility.”
“Lead on,” Sarah commanded as the girls fell in beside her.
Gersius turned with a smile and led the way, his mind tossing over Lilly’s desire to free all the dragons. Could it be done, and what cost would have to be paid?
